Our impact

Children & the arts is the only arts education charity working with hard to reach children across all art forms and across the whole of the UK.

Every day we see the enormous impact early exposure to the arts can have on children. Through the annual evaluation of our programmes we know we are having an incredible impact on children’s lives across the UK and improving year on year. Click here to read the most recent report.

Changing perceptions & overcoming barriers

of teachers say Start helped pupils to develop an appreciation of an art form

of teachers agreed pupils developed an interest in participating in the arts outside of school as a result of Start

Children have created fact books, separate performances, done extra homework on the subject, borrowed library books to find out more. And all of these were things they did in their spare time without me asking them.

Teacher, Great Art Quest

Increasing confidence, creativity and self-esteem

of teachers claim increased confidence and creativity from children

One of the pupils embraced the whole sketchbook idea – she filled it from cover to cover. She just could not stop – it unlocked something…it revolutionised her life

Arts Partner, Start

Raising attainment & Inspiring teachers

of teachers report positive impact on children’s academic skills

of teachers said that they would use their experience from Start to inform classroom work

The wider school has seen what we’ve done. Previously before this, art is sometimes forgotten about, it’s the bottom of the list. But it’s put us back on the map inside school. A lot more teachers have been interested in art.

Teacher, Start

Arts venues challenged and supported to do more

of arts venues continue to work with partnered schools four years after projects started

The whole team are able to be much more inclusive and not fazed by some of the access issues that have come up as part of a Start Hospices day. As a building we now know we can do that kind of work and it’s not scary. And we’re much more likely to take on a project like that again.

It was Children & the Arts' 12th annual carol concert on Monday 3 December. The evening was expertly hosted by Myleene Klass and featured readers from renowned British actors and music from award-winning musicians and choirs.

Thousands of children leave school having never set foot in an art gallery, watched a performance in a theatre or listened to an orchestra. Children coping with life-limiting illnesses also rarely have opportunities to enjoy accessible and inclusive arts experiences with their families.